How to Get Rid of Flies in the Yard

Flies are a nuisance at best, but they also spread bacteria and germs. These unpleasant pests are attracted to certain substances and tend to cluster in large numbers. Having them in your yard can be a problem, especially if you have children that play in the yard and the flies are there in large numbers. A single fly can lay 9000 eggs so it does not take long to have a massive infestation. If you or anyone in you household likes to be outside in the yard, it is important to learn how to get rid of flies in the yard.
The best way to get rid of flies in the yard is to remove the substances that attract them. Flies cluster around things they like, such as pet waste or open garbage cans. Cleanup after pets, clean garbage cans and move them as far from the yard as possible and keep a lid on them. Also clean up anything sticky or sugary that may have gotten spilled outside and drain away water sources.

The next thing to do is to set up bird feeders to attract insect eating birds, such as, purple martins and swallows. They will feed on the flies and significantly reduce their population. Also, dirt Daubers are a type of wasp that kill flies and take them to their nest to feed their larvae. Dirt daubers do not sting people, so they are safe to have in the yard.

Planting Marigolds in the yard will help because the scent repels flies. Also flies can be trapped with commercial or homemade fly traps. Put a cup of syrup in an empty plastic milk jug and punch holes around the middle with a pencil. The flies go in but cannot get out. Hang these traps around the yard as needed. Another trap is to fill a container with water and dish soap. Flies are attracted to the mixture and drown in it.

Flies can also be trapped with sugar water and vinegar. Cut off the top part of a two liter soda bottle, turn it over and place it into the lower part off the bottle to make a funnel. Punch four holes in the bottom part of the bottle and thread a string through it to use for hanging the bottle from a tree branch. Mix 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of sugar and ½ cup of vinegar and put the mixture into the soda bottle. Hang the bottle near the flies, they will enter through the funnel and become trapped in the mixture.

There are also various commercial traps and chemicals that can be obtained from home improvement stores and used safely in the yard against flies. You can also get advice at the home improvement store on what works best if you are going to use commercial products and an internet search can also provide useful information. If all else fails call in a pest removal company, most guarantee results and they will continue treatments until the flies are gone.